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arlena_priscilla's review against another edition
5.0
This is by far one of the best thrillers I've ever read. It was suspenseful, had enigmatic characters, and hint of the occult. However, the last 50 pages were a huge let down to me. I liked the direction the ending was heading and then all of a sudden it just....well, ended. I wanted more from the ending. I understand why it was left the way it was, it fits in with the over arching theme of the book. However, for me it left too much open, some ends weren't tied up which is something I hate in thriller novels. This would have been a 5 star book for me if not for the ending. The story telling format of this book of using photographs, letters and web pages to help the story progress was a great tool in helping the reader connect to the characters. If you like mystery or thriller novels, give this one a go!
eveningreader's review against another edition
5.0
A veteran investigative journalist, Scott McGrath, is drawn to investigate the alleged suicide of Ashley Cordova, the daughter of a famous cult-film director named Stanislas Cordova. Years before Ashley’s death, McGrath had been investigating the elder Cordova, a recluse whose films explored the darkest human impulses. After receiving an anonymous phone call with a tip about some of Cordova’s darkest acts, McGrath threatens to expose the director, but eventually finds the tables turned when he’s sued for libel and loses everything, including his marriage. Still convinced of Cordova’s guilt, McGrath sets out to take revenge on the director by trying to prove that Ashley’s death was no accident. Along the way, McGrath teams up with Nora, a young wannabe actress from Florida, and Hopper, a handsome lone-wolf drug dealer, each of whom are also drawn to investigate Ashley’s death for their own reasons.
I wouldn’t even begin to try and untangle the complicated plot for you, mainly because I wouldn’t want to ruin any of the fun. This novel could easily be termed Hitchcockian, with all the twists and sleights it has at its disposal. I have no doubt that we’ll see the usual too-cool-for-school, “Yawn, I had this figured out from page X” reviews. Ignore them. As much as I hate to use the tired term gripping, that’s exactly what this book is. Even if you think you have it figured out (I did, several times, and I was wrong, wrong, and wrong again)—even if you do figure it out—the ride is too much fun. One thing I enjoyed about this book and Pessl’s first book was that she is so at ease as a storyteller. Some authors who write books with complicated plots cannot seem to get out of their own way; they act less like storytellers and more like annoying tour guides who want to make sure you see how clever they are. And even though the book includes “actual” web sites and news articles (which, I’ll admit, don’t work so well on Kindle, but might be terrific on an iPad), these never seem gimmicky like they might in a weaker book or in the hands of a less assured author. Pessl does a terrific job of getting out of the way of her characters and her plot, which means as readers, we are right there with them. She also creates a terrifically noir atmosphere.
And frankly, here’s the best part: I know what happens, and I still want to read it again. When I finished reading Special Topics in Calamity Physics for the first time, I immediately turned back to the first page and started the book again. I’ve pre-ordered my hardback copy of Night Film, and when it arrives I’ll be cracking it open and enjoying all the terror and thrill of reading it a second time. The best books, like the best movies, never lose their suspense and surprise, even if you know what happens.
I wouldn’t even begin to try and untangle the complicated plot for you, mainly because I wouldn’t want to ruin any of the fun. This novel could easily be termed Hitchcockian, with all the twists and sleights it has at its disposal. I have no doubt that we’ll see the usual too-cool-for-school, “Yawn, I had this figured out from page X” reviews. Ignore them. As much as I hate to use the tired term gripping, that’s exactly what this book is. Even if you think you have it figured out (I did, several times, and I was wrong, wrong, and wrong again)—even if you do figure it out—the ride is too much fun. One thing I enjoyed about this book and Pessl’s first book was that she is so at ease as a storyteller. Some authors who write books with complicated plots cannot seem to get out of their own way; they act less like storytellers and more like annoying tour guides who want to make sure you see how clever they are. And even though the book includes “actual” web sites and news articles (which, I’ll admit, don’t work so well on Kindle, but might be terrific on an iPad), these never seem gimmicky like they might in a weaker book or in the hands of a less assured author. Pessl does a terrific job of getting out of the way of her characters and her plot, which means as readers, we are right there with them. She also creates a terrifically noir atmosphere.
And frankly, here’s the best part: I know what happens, and I still want to read it again. When I finished reading Special Topics in Calamity Physics for the first time, I immediately turned back to the first page and started the book again. I’ve pre-ordered my hardback copy of Night Film, and when it arrives I’ll be cracking it open and enjoying all the terror and thrill of reading it a second time. The best books, like the best movies, never lose their suspense and surprise, even if you know what happens.
humbus_bumpus's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't know what it says about my viewing habits that none of the films seemed remotely out of pocket to me.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
“Mortal fear is as crucial a thing to our lives as love. It cuts to the core of our being and shows us what we are. Will you step back and cover your eyes? Or will you have the strength to walk to the precipice and look out?”
I'm torn on this one. It took quite a while for this one to get rolling - almost 300 pages. Then, at the 300 mark, it takes off running. The clues pile up, the adventures get more blown up and wild and the pieces start to come together. But the first 299 pages were a struggle.
It's a small cast to get to know - just the three main characters - Nora, Hopper and Scott - or so you'd assume. but there is also Cordova and his daughter Ashley. Then there is a whole cast of characters tied to each and every one of them, both through their movies and through Ashley's missing 11 days. It feels daunting and was easy to get lost in the details. I did love the added photos, emails and other styles of storytelling. It was fun, after the 300, to really flow along with the story.
I love how the end tied it all together but also left us wanting more. Great story that I wasn't so sure I would love until I realized I did - I really loved it.
I'm torn on this one. It took quite a while for this one to get rolling - almost 300 pages. Then, at the 300 mark, it takes off running. The clues pile up, the adventures get more blown up and wild and the pieces start to come together. But the first 299 pages were a struggle.
It's a small cast to get to know - just the three main characters - Nora, Hopper and Scott - or so you'd assume. but there is also Cordova and his daughter Ashley. Then there is a whole cast of characters tied to each and every one of them, both through their movies and through Ashley's missing 11 days. It feels daunting and was easy to get lost in the details. I did love the added photos, emails and other styles of storytelling. It was fun, after the 300, to really flow along with the story.
I love how the end tied it all together but also left us wanting more. Great story that I wasn't so sure I would love until I realized I did - I really loved it.
krystaaal's review against another edition
5.0
I loved how this book played out like a film. Loved the characters, story and all the other tidbits throughout like the articles, etc. It'd be cool if this book was turned into an actual film.
emmamadds's review against another edition
2.0
I don't really know where to begin with this book. To me it was so promising but ended up just being frustrating to read.
The concept had me so hooked! A dark mystery investigation thriller about an elusive film maker and his daughter's senseless suicide. Sold! And with immersive case files and web pages? Super sold!
The book started losing me as soon as the investigative journalist protagonist agreed to letting two total strangers, who were annoying young adults, tag along. Why?? Just why??
None of the main characters were especially likeable (they also speak exactly the same), the protagonist was infuriatingly sexist, racist, and righteous (even though the book was written by a woman??), every single of the overwhelming amount of characters had a name that we had to remember for some reason, there were so many side plots and back stories (like the 19-year-old making moves on the 40-something journalist?? what??) that weren't always relevant to the mystery or the characters or the plot.
And for a book about chilling night films that were so scary people fainted, I never felt my heart race once besides the opening scene. I never really felt or connected with the dark and heavy mood the book I think was trying to give off either.
The ending was very on the nose with the night films themselves. However, I couldn't help but feel disappointed instead of thrilled.
The concept had me so hooked! A dark mystery investigation thriller about an elusive film maker and his daughter's senseless suicide. Sold! And with immersive case files and web pages? Super sold!
The book started losing me as soon as the investigative journalist protagonist agreed to letting two total strangers, who were annoying young adults, tag along. Why?? Just why??
None of the main characters were especially likeable (they also speak exactly the same), the protagonist was infuriatingly sexist, racist, and righteous (even though the book was written by a woman??), every single of the overwhelming amount of characters had a name that we had to remember for some reason, there were so many side plots and back stories (like the 19-year-old making moves on the 40-something journalist?? what??) that weren't always relevant to the mystery or the characters or the plot.
And for a book about chilling night films that were so scary people fainted, I never felt my heart race once besides the opening scene. I never really felt or connected with the dark and heavy mood the book I think was trying to give off either.
The ending was very on the nose with the night films themselves. However, I couldn't help but feel disappointed instead of thrilled.
margaretrose's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
livinglifeliterary's review against another edition
4.0
I...have no idea what to rate this. On one hand, Night Film kept me at the edge of my seat for at least 70% of the book. On the other, the italics literally drove me nuts. This book would have been insanely good if it weren't for the fact that every other word of dialogue was italicized for emphasis. No, seriously. This was a 664-page book and if I took a shot everytime someone spoke in italics, I'd be dead of alcohol poisoning by page 5. Not to mention, all of the characters had the same voice and spoke with the same amount of emphasis, it was almost like they were all the same person.
However, the plot was riveting, Cardova and his world were insane to learn about, and I really was enthralled despite the italics. So, I'm rating this a four stars and we'll see how it goes lmao
However, the plot was riveting, Cardova and his world were insane to learn about, and I really was enthralled despite the italics. So, I'm rating this a four stars and we'll see how it goes lmao
maggiemaggio's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I finished this book more than a month ago now and it's taken me a while to process everything that happened. This is a great book. It's creepy, exciting, maddening, and extremely well done and I enjoyed pretty much every moment of reading it.
When I first started reading I wasn't sure what to make of Scott McGrath. Was he a smarmy, lying journalist or was he a honest guy just trying to get to the bottom of tough stories? I came to really like him for much of the book, even though towards the end I lost some respect for him.
As Scott does his research into Ashley's death he comes across a lot of interesting characters. Two of them, who he takes on, begrudgingly, as research assistants took me by surprise when they ended by being two of my favorite characters. I loved Nora so much and I loved how she seemed to be one thing, but then turned out to be completely different.
Not only is this book told in traditional narrative, it also has newspaper and magazine articles and other pictures and things scattered throughout. I thought this was a really interesting way to provide background for the story and to really paint a robust picture of some of the characters. There's one picture of Ashley where I turned the page and literally almost screamed (I was on a plane so thank god I didn't!).
There are two things I really struggled with with this book. First, I kept wondering if a director like Stanislas Cordova really exists? I like movies, but I don't know much about underground film making. I certainly hope no one like him exists, but I did wonder. I also wondered about things like a secret internet. Is there really a secret internet? I have no idea about anything like that, either, but I kind of hope so. Second, and this is just the nature of books like this, I hate all the diversions that have to be offered when telling a story like this. Clearly the first guess about what happened to Ashley isn't going to be the right one, otherwise the book would be 200 pages rather than 600 pages. I did like how some of the earlier guesses came back with slight adjustments later on.
The only thing I really hated about this book was the end. It kind of came out of no where and then just kind of fell off. But the rest of the book is so interesting and so well done that I wouldn't let that discourage you from picking this one up.
I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!). All opinions are my own.
I finished this book more than a month ago now and it's taken me a while to process everything that happened. This is a great book. It's creepy, exciting, maddening, and extremely well done and I enjoyed pretty much every moment of reading it.
When I first started reading I wasn't sure what to make of Scott McGrath. Was he a smarmy, lying journalist or was he a honest guy just trying to get to the bottom of tough stories? I came to really like him for much of the book, even though towards the end I lost some respect for him.
As Scott does his research into Ashley's death he comes across a lot of interesting characters. Two of them, who he takes on, begrudgingly, as research assistants took me by surprise when they ended by being two of my favorite characters. I loved Nora so much and I loved how she seemed to be one thing, but then turned out to be completely different.
Not only is this book told in traditional narrative, it also has newspaper and magazine articles and other pictures and things scattered throughout. I thought this was a really interesting way to provide background for the story and to really paint a robust picture of some of the characters. There's one picture of Ashley where I turned the page and literally almost screamed (I was on a plane so thank god I didn't!).
There are two things I really struggled with with this book. First, I kept wondering if a director like Stanislas Cordova really exists? I like movies, but I don't know much about underground film making. I certainly hope no one like him exists, but I did wonder. I also wondered about things like a secret internet. Is there really a secret internet? I have no idea about anything like that, either, but I kind of hope so. Second, and this is just the nature of books like this, I hate all the diversions that have to be offered when telling a story like this. Clearly the first guess about what happened to Ashley isn't going to be the right one, otherwise the book would be 200 pages rather than 600 pages. I did like how some of the earlier guesses came back with slight adjustments later on.
The only thing I really hated about this book was the end. It kind of came out of no where and then just kind of fell off. But the rest of the book is so interesting and so well done that I wouldn't let that discourage you from picking this one up.
I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!). All opinions are my own.